Basia Gugalka, owner of Schuberts footwear shops, which has locations across the U.K., agreed that comfort was top of mind for her customers.

“Last season, we did very well with quality comfortable shoes, some more-feminine styles and ankle boots,” she said. Still, Gugalka expressed caution about the economy. “In England, there is a recession, and we don’t know how [business] will develop.”

According to BDSE, the German footwear retail association, a third of German shoe retailers are anticipating sales growth in 2012, while half are projecting flat sales. About a fifth, the organization said, are worried about declining sales.

Given positive employment figures and continued optimism among German consumers, BDSE said overall sales gains of 2 percent to 3 percent should be attainable in the year ahead.

By comparison, in 2011, the German shoe retail industry reported a 2 percent decline in sales, 7.8 billion euros, or $10.9 billion. (All dollar figures are converted from the euro at an average exchange rate for the period.)